About that Dream...

"I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning howto sail my ship."--Louisa May AlcottRemember your very first job? That all-grown-up feeling!Your own money to buy things... The independence?Do you sti...

"I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning howto sail my ship."

--Louisa May Alcott

Remember your very first job? That all-grown-up feeling!Your own money to buy things... The independence?

Do you still have that excitement today? Do you jump out ofbed, eager to start a new day? Or are you tired, maybe evenslightly depressed?

Perhaps you've lost touch with your own special *dream* overthe years. What was it? Have you thought about your dreamlately? Acknowledging it can free you up to remove theobstacles.

Those Nasty Obstacles

What's keeping you from your dream? Start a small list ofthings you consider obstacles in your way. Are they *Time,**Energy,* *Money?* Is your life just too stressful?Brainstorm some solutions and write them in the column nextto the obstacles.

Each of the above were obstacles for me. We were about$14,000 in debt (credit cards and school loans). I wasworking 40-60 hours a week -- just to pay the bills. Usingmy energy to work for *things,* leaving none for pursuingmy dream.

The Negotiation

If you could trade something for your dream, what would itbe? If you wanted it so badly you could taste it -- howcould you make it happen?

I wanted to work part time and pursue my writing. Inegotiated with myself. If I could learn to live on 20hours pay per week, I could go part time. Two and a halfyears later, we were debt free with a small nest egg. Ourspending was minimal. I had finished the first draft of mybook a year earlier. I moved to part time, evening hours,and my new job was now 3 miles from home. My immediategoal of part time had spurred me on.

What could you negotiate with yourself today - to pull yourdream a little bit closer? How about making a small dealwith yourself? If I (fill in the blank), then I could (fillin the blank). Who better to negotiate with?

Which Way to Easy Street?

There is no Easy Street (at least not on my road map). Butthere is that road less traveled... with a few obstaclesalong the way. My husband lost two jobs soon after I mademajor changes in my life, the first just months later. Itwasn't easy, but I had Plan B ready to go.

What's the worst thing that could happen if you take a different path? Beneath your obstacle list from above, jotdown the worst things that might happen. In the column nextto them, jot down some ideas for a Plan B of your own.

What's Keeping You?

***Time*** Instead of working more hours away from homefor 'extra money', could you invest your time in planningand saving for your dream? Do your current activities moveyou closer to doing what you'd love to do?

***Energy*** Short on energy? Try blowing the dust off yourdream. You'll be amazed at the renewed energy you'll have!Eliminate energy wasters -- things that don't move you forward.

***Money*** What spending can you 'exchange' if it meansfinally living your dream? Money I spent weekly buying booksis now funneled back into my dream. Trade your currentspending for your dream. You'll be wonderfully surprised athow much money you'll *find* for your dream!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darlene Arechederra is author of Rat Race Blues-How to Breakthe Stranglehold. Do what you *love* to do for a living, notwhat you *have* to do! Darlene offers hope and help in *finding* money, time and energy to support your dreams.Fr*ee weekly newsletter. http://www.RatRaceRemedies.com